By Dipo Olowookere
Preparations are already in top gear for the 2016 Nigerian Economic Summit (NEC), which holds from October 10-12, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Addressing a news conference in Lagos, organiser of the programme, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) said the 22nd edition of the summit, themed ‘Made in Nigeria’, would be explosive.
It was explained that this theme was coming at a right time; especially when Nigeria is strategizing on how to revamp her economy.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, who was present at the briefing, pointed out that “The FG’s goal is to unlock the economic potentials of the non-oil and high-employment sectors, so as to achieve a sustainable inclusive growth that will ensure that the majority of Nigerians become more productive, thereby reducing poverty.
“Thus, we are deliberately working towards diversifying the Nigerian economy by ensuring that the non-oil sector drives the economy because this is the sector that: contributes the most to GDP.”
Chairman of NESG, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, who was represented at the occasion by Mrs Wonu Adetayo, described the ‘Made in Nigeria’ initiative as an economic growth and development strategy for Nigeria’s short, medium and long term development.
He explained that Nigeria’s status as an import dependent and a huge consumption economy has led to negative economic growth and dwindling foreign reserves.
According to him, the summit will provide a platform to sharpen the focus on the need for Nigeria to embrace the ‘Made in Nigeria’ products so as to boost the economy.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya